Best Bets, Jan. 17-23

The 20th annual Monterey Swingfest features five days of nonstop workshops, concerts and social dancing with past and present World and National swing dance champions. "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Dancing With The Stars" competitor Benji Schwimmer will make an appearance during the event. Visit CentralCoastSwingDance.com for information.

FRIDAY

What: Michael Martinez and Joe Bongiorno, solo pianos

Where: Canterbury Woods Auditorium, 651 Sinex Ave., Pacific Grove

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18

Martinez started out as protege of classical/pop pianist Jonathan Lee at age 13, taking over for Lee at the Big Sur Marathon when the pianist passed away in 2005. Now the young pianist is adept at many styles, including jazz and blues in addition to pop and classical. Sedona, Ariz.-based pianist Bongiorno's style has been compared to Jim Brickman and and Kevin Kern. Free. 373-3111 or michael@michaelmartinezmusic.com.

SATURDAY

What: Champions of the Arts gala

Where: Portola Hotel and Spa, 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey

When: 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19

The Arts Council for Monterey County hosts its eighth annual Champion of the Arts gala, honoring seven local individuals and organizations who have served the arts scene with distinction. Lifetime achievement goes to Monterey Jazz Festival director Tim Jackson, while Luminary goes to Carl Christensen, retired director of the Hartnell College Music Department. Other honorees are —Magnus Toren, Hamish Taylor, John and Barbara Pekema, Renee Curry and Liz Sanchez. Tickets are $95. Table of 10 is $850. 622-9060, Arts4MC.org.

What: Central Coast Chamber presents "Body Bags & Beyond"

Where: Stay Fly Clothing Co., 530 Broadway Ave., Seaside

When: 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19

Central Coast Chamber is the local rap battle league. It hosts eight battles between rappers from the Peninsula as well as the Fresno and Bay Areas. The main event pits Pacific Grove rapper Maniacal against Override, who hails from the Fresno area. Young Sinister of Pacific Grove faces off against Inovate of Clovis. Miggi of Marina battles Chewbaccs of Seaside. Oakland rapper Ten J goes head to head with Fresno rapper Decade. And Stikk Figga of Tracy will battle Esem of Fresno. The event is hosted by Draztik Matter and Kali. For information, visit Facebook.com/ChamberBattles, Twitter.com/ChamberBattles, and YouTube.com/ChamberBattles.

Since 1999, CSU Monterey Bay professor Ruben Mendoza has studied solar illumination at Mission San Juan Bautista that occurs on the winter solstice. Mendoza has observed similar illuminations at other missions that coincide with summer solstice and dates associated with the patron saint of a given mission founder. Mendoza will present his observations, which coincides with the final week of the "Junipero Serra Before California" photo exhibit. The event is $10 general, $5 museum members. Seating is limited. 372-2608, MuseumofMonterey.org.

Stacey Evans fought cancer and won. Just after getting news that the cancer had returned, an apartment fire destroyed all hers and her daughter Dominique Park's possessions, save for Dominique's pet Chihuahua, which Stacey saved by breaking a window and crawling back into the flaming apartment. Now her many friends are throwing a benefit jam to help the two women get back on their feet. A loose-knit group of local musicians, Grateful Dave & the Paso Hondo Pickers, will host a jam (bring your instruments), there's a silent auction, finger foods and beverages, although no alcohol. $10 at the door. Volunteers and contributions still needed. Contact Lisa Henry at 747-7626 or Michele Nizza at 238-0655.

What: Gus Madsack Presents White Fence — and Soda Gardocki in concert

Where: The Lobby at the Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey

When: 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, doors open at 8:30

White Fence's Tim Presley has been a member of goth-tinged space-rock outfit Darker My Love, a back-up player in the Austin garage-pop group Strange Boys and a touring guitarist in The Fall, but his own tastes run to '60s-era Brit and Yank garage rock and everything from Pink Floyd to Buffalo Springfield, played with a healthy dose of what one critic called "lo-fi grit." $10 advance (tix available at gusmadsackpresents.tumblr.com), $12 door, all ages.

Pacific Repertory Theatre's School of Dramatic Arts presents another edition of its "Words On Stage" series. This one highlights the work of writer Isak Dineson, whose memoir "Out Of Africa," which became a feature film starring Meryl Streep. Local actresses Julie Hughett, Susan Keenan and Anne Mitchell will each portray the famous writer, reading from her famous works. Free. 622-0700, PacRep.org.

TUESDAY

What: Arts In Progress presents Harry Marks

Where: The Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22

Award-winning broadcast designer and co-founder of the Technology, Education and Design (TED) Conferences, is the speaker for the January Arts In Progress presentation, presented by Arts Habitat. Marks' background in typography led him to become one of the pioneers in television graphics. His work earned him an Emmy award and a lifetime achievement award from the Broadcast Design Association. He is considered the founding father of modern broadcast design. His presentation is titled: "Creative Inspirations: Confessions of a Type Nazi or How a Lifetime Obsession with Typography Took Me on a Journey I Could Never Have Imagined." Free. 624-6111, ArtsHabitat.org.

WEDNESDAY

What: "Meet Malcolm at the Movies," a year-long film series with Malcolm Weintraub

Backstory at the Cherry Center presents this monthly screening and discussion of lesser-known film classics hosted by cineaste Weintraub and held the fourth Wednesday of each month. The films are diverse in character, six American and six foreign (from Italy, Sweden, France and Spain), created by auteur directors and covering various subjects, from drama to sci-fi action. Opens Jan. 23 with John Huston's 1950 classic "The Asphalt Jungle" and closes Dec. 18 with Pedro Almodovar's 1988 "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown." $10 donation per film or $100 for all 12, 624-7491 yblnwj7965@sbcglobal.net or carlcherrycenter.org.